Students block NH over flood issues in Assam

Published: Saturday, September 29, 2007, 9:31 [IST]

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Guwahati, Sep 28 (UNI) The All Assam Students Union (AASU) blocked all the national highways running across Assam for an hour today, protesting the alleged failure of the government in mitigating the woes of the flood-affected people and decrying the Centre's apathy to the state.

Student activists blocked the highways in all the districts including the Panbazar road.

The blockade activity was concluded before 1400 hours.

It was carried out by the AASU against the alleged failure of the state government in providing adequate relief, rehabilitation and medical facilities to the flood-affected population.

They also alleged betrayal of the state's people by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Assam, and criticised the Centre's ''apathy'' towards the people of Assam.

AASU activists were lathicharged in Tinsukia district by CRPF jawan, an AASU spokesperson said, adding that some activists were also picked up in Goalpara district.

In Dhemaji district, one of the worst-hit, the public participated in the blockade spontaneaously and refused to clear the road even after 1400 hours, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, in Kokrajhar district, about 40 activists of the All Assam Koch-Rajbonshi Students Union (AAKRSU) were detained while they were trying to burn the effigies of Union Tribal Affairs Minister P R Kynadia and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

They were protesting the non-grant of tribal status to the community. The protestors were picked up from Kokrajhar railway station, Titaguri and Chorakhula areas, under Kokrajhar police station.